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The Argos need a sugar daddy - somebody willing to lose $3- 10 million a year just to run their own toy. Braley isn't it. Nor is Tannenbaum. Nor is MLSE.

The best long term hope for TFC control of their own stadium is either

a) we grow so big that a move out of BMO is the only way to keep up with demand (i.e. if there is demand for 45K + per game)
That's not so radical an idea when Seattle is beginning the feelers to create their own SSS to build a 60K space only a few years after starting up in the home the Seahawks took over. Think about this scenario. Its 2022. TFC is averaging 30K a season with lots of demand. Do you build up to 40K and maximise the space? Or do you find a space at Downsview and build a 45k space with flexibility to go to 60K and leave the Argos behind?

b) Argo ownership wants to keep the profits of concessions and sees the wisdom behind building their own space

The Argos need a sugar daddy - somebody willing to lose $3- 10 million a year just to run their own toy. Braley isn't it. Nor is Tannenbaum. Nor is MLSE.

The best long term hope for TFC control of their own stadium is either

a) we grow so big that a move out of BMO is the only way to keep up with demand (i.e. if there is demand for 45K + per game)
That's not so radical an idea when Seattle is beginning the feelers to create their own SSS to build a 60K space only a few years after starting up in the home the Seahawks took over. Think about this scenario. Its 2022. TFC is averaging 30K a season with lots of demand. Do you build up to 40K and maximise the space? Or do you find a space at Downsview and build a 45k space with flexibility to go to 60K and leave the Argos behind?

b) Argo ownership wants to keep the profits of concessions and sees the wisdom behind building their own space

Agree on all points but if I could add that Braley shouldn't have to be a sugar daddy for not one but 2 teams in such a small league. I feel for him on that score.

It's a federal election year.
Maybe the Argos can get that $10 million and use it to expand the stadium at York U.
Also could get more money into the University for other stuff, like practice facilities etc.

It's a federal election year.
Maybe the Argos can get that $10 million and use it to expand the stadium at York U.
Also could get more money into the University for other stuff, like practice facilities etc.

I don't think Feds are going to contribute any money especially with oil prices being down.

The Argos need a sugar daddy - somebody willing to lose $3- 10 million a year just to run their own toy. Braley isn't it. Nor is Tannenbaum. Nor is MLSE.

It will probably come down to how important is the CFL to TSN, and therefore Bell. The TV business in this country has always taken place behind closed doors between a few players. A deal will be made and we'll be told about it when it's done. As always.

It will probably come down to how important is the CFL to TSN, and therefore Bell. The TV business in this country has always taken place behind closed doors between a few players. A deal will be made and we'll be told about it when it's done. As always.

So you don't expect any fanfare over this? As bias as I am I'm still aware of the tens of thousands it will make happy...

So you don't expect any fanfare over this? As bias as I am I'm still aware of the tens of thousands it will make happy...

Once the decision is made there will be plenty of fanfare (marketing) if it goes that way. But there's a lot of politics because it's an east-west split. I think what happens to the Argos is a minor part of a larger negotiation between these media companies. In the TV business the idea of Canadian content used to be sacrosanct (because the CRTC made is so) but it isn't anymore. It's just a matter of how quickly it bleeds out and is finally gone completely from the private broadcasters.

So, if the Argos die and the CFL suffers because of it and Bell loses that Canadian content and there are no consequences it could be an important step (Bell would like to be rid of all its Canadian content, I think). That's why I think there's a very good chance we'll never see the Argos at BMO. It's kind of a canary in the coal mine for other issues.

For the sake of accuracy can you find any pictures of the caps playing on a pitch with BC Lions stuff and CFL markers on it?

Given that we will be likely sharing with a CFL team not an NFL team.

Well, the pictures are of MLS teams dealing with pointy ball lines, I don't see the difference as the CFL basically uses the same markings that the NFL does.
However I'll try and find some Vancouver stuff for you.

Well, the pictures are of MLS teams dealing with pointy ball lines, I don't see the difference as the CFL basically uses the same markings that the NFL does.
However I'll try and find some Vancouver stuff for you.

Don't bother, you won't find anything on the scale of the Revs and Sounders pics posted above.

You wont have a Revs/Sounders situation as the CFL pitch is wider and longer so no white markings on the side of the pitch and the end zone would be behind the penalty area.

I've asked a few Caps fans if they have ever had a situation like Revs and Sounders have and they haven't. Faded markings similar to the Houston pitch you posted but nothing on the scale of Revs and Sounders.

For the sake of accuracy can you find any pictures of the caps playing on a pitch with BC Lions stuff and CFL markers on it?

Given that we will be likely sharing with a CFL team not an NFL team.

Originally Posted by Petor

Well, the pictures are of MLS teams dealing with pointy ball lines, I don't see the difference as the CFL basically uses the same markings that the NFL does.
However I'll try and find some Vancouver stuff for you.

The point was that CFL doesn't do as much damage as NFL. Which is true but the difference is not enough to be acceptable.

Don't bother, you won't find anything on the scale of the Revs and Sounders pics posted above.

You wont have a Revs/Sounders situation as the CFL pitch is wider and longer so no white markings on the side of the pitch and the end zone would be behind the penalty area.

I've asked a few Caps fans if they have ever had a situation like Revs and Sounders have and they haven't. Faded markings similar to the Houston pitch you posted but nothing on the scale of Revs and Sounders.

The Argos need a sugar daddy - somebody willing to lose $3- 10 million a year just to run their own toy. Braley isn't it. Nor is Tannenbaum. Nor is MLSE.

The best long term hope for TFC control of their own stadium is either

a) we grow so big that a move out of BMO is the only way to keep up with demand (i.e. if there is demand for 45K + per game)
That's not so radical an idea when Seattle is beginning the feelers to create their own SSS to build a 60K space only a few years after starting up in the home the Seahawks took over. Think about this scenario. Its 2022. TFC is averaging 30K a season with lots of demand. Do you build up to 40K and maximise the space? Or do you find a space at Downsview and build a 45k space with flexibility to go to 60K and leave the Argos behind?

b) Argo ownership wants to keep the profits of concessions and sees the wisdom behind building their own space

I think the pointy heads at MLSE are thinking a is far more likely.

2030 - New Stadium

That's been their business plan since the '80s. How's that working for them?

Interesting to note that current owner Braley has actually been involved in owning the Argos for much longer than when he officially took over in 2010. He gave previous owners Cynamon and Sokolowski half of their meagre $2 million purchase price in 2003 and covered half their annual operating losses. He's been taking on the full financial debacle since 2010.

The market has spoken loudly and clearly for decades. The Argos have gone from first down to face down.

If you took all the money that Braley has pissed away over the years trying to run this club - plus all the government handouts at Grey Cup time - and put it into building a proper home for the Argos and a showcase for Canadian football in general, they'd have a sound base to operate from.

But no one connected with this league has shown any sense of vision or ambition in running the Argos. If MLSE take over the Argos, it is only going to be on the basis that they are confident of acquiring a NFL franchise in the foreseeable future.

For the sake of accuracy can you find any pictures of the caps playing on a pitch with BC Lions stuff and CFL markers on it?

Given that we will be likely sharing with a CFL team not an NFL team.

I didn't notice any when I was there, or the Fury playing on a pitch with Redblacks markings. They do a pretty good job of removing them. However, both those are turf and not grass, so I don't know if you could use the same cleaner or not.

As for the number of games the Argos would play at BMO, they would only play 9 home games (with practice held elsewhere) over 20 weeks, 10 at most with a playoff game included. That's one game every two weeks, and nothing before the end of June so TFC would have a pristine pitch for at least half the season. I don't think that's so bad. The Houston Stadium has weekly football games, doesn't it?

I didn't notice any when I was there, or the Fury playing on a pitch with Redblacks markings. They do a pretty good job of removing them. However, both those are turf and not grass, so I don't know if you could use the same cleaner or not.

As for the number of games the Argos would play at BMO, they would only play 9 home games (with practice held elsewhere) over 20 weeks, 10 at most with a playoff game included. That's one game every two weeks, and nothing before the end of June so TFC would have a pristine pitch for at least half the season. I don't think that's so bad. The Houston Stadium has weekly football games, doesn't it?

But it would be a dog run when the most important games take place towards the end of the season and into the playoffs.

What about when TFC once again start playing CONCACAF Champions League games in mid-week from August on? We've had some really good games against top Mexican sides with technical level of play not often seen in MLS games. The ball's on the deck and the passing and movement has been a cut above. Best of all, our players have routinely raised their games to compete with superior talent.

We could also see CFL games impair the quality of play if our national teams choose to play at BMO or when top international sides come in for friendlies.